Flowering Tropicals

Alsip Nursery brings to you flowering Tropicals from all over Florida and parts of California to make great additions to your deck, patio or even near a bright window indoors. Tropicals are easy to grow with a lot of sun and a fair amount of water. They are by definition tropical and should be treated as a tender annual in our climate zone. Flowering tropical’s need to be sheltered or protected from frost and cannot withstand frost. The typically prefer well draining and sandy soil. They generally like bright direct sunlight, while varieties such as Orchids prefer filted sun or indirect light.

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Flowering Tropicals, like annuals can be fed every 10-14 days with a liquid fertilizer or once a season with a time release fertilizer such as Osmocote or Dynamite Plant food. Certain flowering tropicals can be susceptible to pests and should be treated with a systemic insecticide as a preventative measure. Common pests include Aphids and Mealy bugs and are commonly found on Hibiscus, Gardenia and Mandevila. The best way to water is to let the soil dry down an inch down from the top then saturate thoroughly until water drains out the bottom of the pot. Keep in mind in the middle of the summer in the hottest times of the year these plants may require being watered up to twice a day. Watch for the signs of leaves drooping and even the flower buds on some of them drooping.

Tropical trees are better off placed into slip-in pots for spring and summer. If desired they can then be repotted when brought in for the winter. Repotting can sometimes cause stress to flowering plants and cause them to shed blooms. While this is less of a concern on Mandevila and Hibiscus it is more of a concern for Gardenia and Orchids. It’s important to keep plants covered until danger of frost is gone.